Cake or Not Cake

“Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Via TJC

When I was a kid Sunday mornings before church were often my dad’s pancake experiment moment.  We got all kinds of ingredients thrown in, sometimes good, sometimes not so much.  Peanut butter was actually a favorite. I think there may have been some vegetables at one point but my childhood brain has blocked the trauma out. Recipes matter if you are going to make a cake. Pan or birthday, if you get the ingredients or the process wrong you get something that doesn’t much taste like a cake.

Recipe for a country

As we continue to unpack the 250 year history of America it is interesting to consider the recipe that created our country. Much like my dad’s pancakes we keep playing with the ingredients and the process making our ever evolving cake look and taste different over the years. 

One of the most important elements for our country at it's founding was the quality of the leaders (the cooks) who laid out the original recipe. Much like the men Moses was counseled to call up to help him lead the Israelites in the desert, our founding fathers possessed a level of character that has defined our country. They were capable men - the genius of our founders is undeniable. They feared God - many may try to debate this but it is observably true. They showed themselves to be trustworthy to their values and mission. They “hated a bribe” - money was not their driving factor, in fact many gave up fortunes in the process of founding the country. The quality of the cooks made all the difference.

These leaders then set about to write a new recipe for a country. Beginning with our declaration of independence and then moving forward to our constitution, these men wrote a foundational recipe for a country that has changed the world. Over time when the quality of our leaders is not maintained well, the recipe for the country can sometimes taste like a broccoli pancake. Every couple of years though we get a chance to adjust the recipe and either bring it back toward the original or test new ingredients. It certainly isn’t perfect, but the core recipe continues to deliver.

Battle Order

Take a few minutes to think about the men and women who are leading our country (local, state and federal) and consider how well they meet the qualifications given to Moses for his leaders. WARNING: This may be a little depressing, but don’t lose hope. Consider as we head into the latest round of elections who you can support who will help take us back toward the original recipe for the American cake. Consider how you personally stand up to the qualifications of a leader (sometimes the promises of a politician are actually bribes, so are you accepting them). 

Prayer: Father help me to be the kind of leader Moses would have chosen as I lead in my family, my work, my community, our world. Help me to follow the recipe you have laid out for me as a Kingdom Man. Bless our country with qualified leaders who follow the recipe our founders gave us for a God fearing nation that honors You.